Winter the best time to be in the wilderness

Wednesday

Dec 3, 2008 at 12:01 AM

ANDERSON - There is something about fishing the Sacramento River on a crisp, clear day when wild rainbow trout are biting and the leaves of the riparian forest are turning color, with snow-capped sentinels - Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen - lording over all. The winter trout fishing is best in the West and the vistas are unparalleled.

Peter Ottesen

ANDERSON - There is something about fishing the Sacramento River on a crisp, clear day when wild rainbow trout are biting and the leaves of the riparian forest are turning color, with snow-capped sentinels - Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen - lording over all. The winter trout fishing is best in the West and the vistas are unparalleled.

Guide Mike Patee, formerly of Lodi, takes clients on full- or half-day outing on the Sacramento River and, like he says, "There is so much more to enjoy than just the outstanding fishing."

Last week he guided Mike and Becky Hill of Stockton and, in addition to hooking and releasing 1- to 4-pound rainbows, the couple managed to catch a steelhead in the 5-pound bracket, as an unexpected bonus.

Some clients prefer a combination trip that calls for trout and salmon fishing. There is a limited salmon season that started Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 31 for late-fall run Chinook, some of which are five- and six-year-old fish that can weigh greater than 50 pounds. In fact, the Sacramento River record 88-pounder was caught several years ago in late-November, proof-positive of the super-sized salmon that do migrate through the system in the winter.

Patee uses bait, flies and lures on these trips and, perhaps, the best option of all is the starting time. This time of year you can get on the water most any time and find success.

Information: (209) 642-0639.

Other possibilities

Winter is my favorite season because of the variety of outdoors pursuits that are so close to home. Trout fishing in nearby lakes, waterfowl hunting on public refuges and upland game bird shooting on wildlife preserves are but a few of the options.

Consider these choices:

» Lake Amador: In the past six weeks, concessionaires have released more than 34,000 pounds of hybrid cut-bow trout, including 3,000 additional pounds on Tuesday. These trout are brutes, 3 to 7 pounds, and during the winter, they stay close to the surface and tight to the shoreline, giving bank anglers equal opportunity to hook a trophy trout. Toss Power Bait, salmon egg-nightcrawler combo under a bobber, broken-backed Rapala, spinners such as Roostertail and Panther Martin, or work an artificial fly like a wooly bugger, tippy special or Red Ryder, and you'll be set for action. Keep the offering in the top two feet.

Field scout Grady Lee said a riffle on the water really helps. "The bite rate goes up 95 percent where there is a breeze."

Information: (209) 274-4739.

» New Melones Lake: For families on a budget, it's tough to beat a $6 day use fee for a vehicle and heavy trout plants by the state Department of Fish and Game have made five-fish limits almost routine. Power Bait with glitter is the ticket here, as long as it floats off the bottom. Simply drive to Glory Hole Point, Angels Cove or the Highway 49 (Stevenot) Bridge, pick out a rock to sit on and toss out the bait. Weekly plants through December will keep the action "red hot." The recreation area also offers hiking trails, picnic tables, fire pits and rest rooms, so there are plenty of diversions. Best source for fishing information is Glory Hole Sports in Angels Camp.

Information: (209) 736-4333.

» Merced County refuges: Duck and goose hunting doesn't have to be a rich man's sport, especially when you live in the Central Valley. For just $16.50 a day for adults, free to youth hunters 15 years and under, waterfowlers can try their luck a more than a dozen refuges and wildlife areas such as Volta, Merced, Los Banos, Kesterson, North Grasslands, San Luis and West Bear Creek, to name a few. Pick up a public hunting pamphlet from a local sporting goods store or go online to Los Banos Wildlife Area or San Luis National Wildlife Refuge for locations, directions and other general information. Some units offer blinds. Others are free roam. Reservations are usually needed and hunting is offered every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday through Jan. 25. A special "after season" hunt for youth is planned Feb. 1-2.

Information: (209) 826-0463; (209) 826-3509.

» Fabulous Delta: Striped bass are ensconced for the winter and now that water temperature has dipped to 56 degrees, fish are schooling and ripe for the catching. Baits such as shad, sardines, blood worms, pile worms and bullheads are the top fodder. Tie on a shrimpbait and possibly entice a sturgeon or the pesky, but good-eating, starry flounder. Bank anglers should focus on the municipal pier at Rio Vista, the Sacramento River shoreline along Highway 160 and levees off Highway 4 and Eight Mile Road. Even downtown Stockton at the head of the Deep Water Channel is a good option. Boaters anchor at the Rio Vista Bridge, Decker Island, Powerlines and Montezuma Slough. Less experienced anglers might consider a guide like Barry Canevaro, (916) 777-6498 or Mark Wilson, (916) 682-1630.

» Hunting preserves: Pheasant an chukar hunting is available at some of the finest clubs that serve the public in the entire state. Try these venues: Camanche Hills Hunting Preserve, (209) 763-5270; Birds Landing Hunting Preserve, (707) 374-5092; Rooster Ranch, (209) 667-0483.